Antulay controversy would test Sonia's mettle !

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Janab Abdul Rehman Antulay has needlessly kicked off a controversy, by raising doubts over the killing of former ATS Chief Mr. Hemant Karkare, on the dreadful night of 26/11 in Mumbai, which was the most horrendous carnage to have happened any body in any part of the world, at the hands of the terrorists.

Participating in the debate over the two separate bills introduced by the UPA government for the establishment of NIA (National Investigation Agency), Mr. Antulay created a ruckus in Parliament on Wednesday by unwarrantedly raising this issue, without having any slightest proof of it.

In fact, there is no controversy at all, on this point that the troika of Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar all were killed by Kasab and his associate terrorist Imran on the backside entrance of Cama Hospital, which is at a stone throw's distance from CST Railway Station, where the terror duo had mercilessly killed nearly 60 innocent persons few minutes earlier.

It is an entirely separate issue whether Karkare, Kamte & Salaskar ought to have gone through the same vehicle (Toyota Qualis) belonging to a local police station, by giving up or getting down from their own respective vehicles, in pursuit of terrorists on the basis of sketchy information, who had alighted from the foot over bridge close to the Times of India building & Anjuman Islam High School. Or whether Karkare ought to have sent his subordinates in their chase first and that he should have remained as their back up. etc. This is an endless debate and if we go on churning it, the lives of three precious police officers of Maharashtra Police won't be restored.

At that time, the situation was such that there was no time at all to plan out a strategy or to ponder over the ways and means to tackle ultras. It was an unprecedented situation of its kind, which no police officer in any part of the world would have ever experienced. Mr. Karkare arrived at the scene within few minutes, after he got the news of bullet spree started by the due at CST Railway Station after he had dropped into his ATS Office (few Kms. away from CST Railway Stations) after meeting then Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil.

In fact, many were watching live on numerous the television channels of Mr. Karkare getting down from his white TATA Indigo vehicle, putting on his helmet while wearing his blue colour executive shirt. Then putting on the 'so called' bullet proof jacket, which was barely able to withstand incidents of stone throwing, etc.

The terrorists who were unlikely to have the knowledge of the minute details of the lanes and by - lanes on the back side of TOI & Anjuman Islam High School, were also not knowing to whom they were firing at when the vehicle driven by PI Vijay Salaskar came in front of them on the backside of Cama Hospital. Presumably, after seeing the blinking amber light on the top of the vehicle, the Kasab & his deceased colleague, went on firing police vehicle after noticing that it was a police vehicle coming to chase them. The original driver vehicle of Jadhav, who was asked to sit on the back side by the deceased troika was the only man to get escaped from the firing, as he must have presumably ducked, when the bullet sprees were showered on the police vehicle from the front.

After killing the troika, Kasab and his colleague threw out the bodies of the three officers (of Salaskar from the front seat & that of Karkare & Kamte from the back seat). Whereas, the driver Jadhav, who pretended to be dead was also thrown out of the vehicle by them from rear side, before they could hijack the vehicle towards Metro Cinema.

All this happening was being seen by many people from the 5th & 6th floor of Cama Hospital and many claimed to have seen Inspector Vijay Salakar lying in the pool of blood and was desperately requiring medical help. But none could risk their lives to come to his aid, with the fear that they too might face the same fate, if any other terrorists could be hanging around.

Therefore, the presence of any other person or persons (apart from Kasab & Imran), who could have probably targeted Karkare, is out of question. In fact, all these three officers got killed, even before they could exchange any fire with Kasab & his associate. It happened in so fraction of seconds that even a minute is too large in that matter.

Hence, where is question of some one targeting Karkare ? Why he decided to go into Cama Hospital lane, instead of going to Taj & Trident-Oberoi could have been answered by any of the troika had they been alive today. Perhaps, escaped driver Mr. Jadhav can throw some light on it.

By creating a controversy over the Karkare's killing, Mr. Antulay, who though being a Union Minister has always remained away from the media glare in the last four and half years after UPA government came into power. Politically, he is no heavy weight in the Maharashtra State politics. Seems by creating a flutter, he intends to come back into reckoning and wishes to hog into limelight and enhance his political image.

Mr. Antulay's comments on Karkare's death would be definitely used by Pakistan to lessen the gravity of the entire probe and also to claim that no Pakistani national was involved in the Mumbai carnage.

It is heartening to note that Congress was quick to disassociate itself from Mr. Antulay's remarks and tried to wash off its hands from the controversy, as much as it could. But in the end, Mr. Antulay is nearing eighty, a union cabinet minister. But the responsibility of UPA in general and that of Congress I in particular merely do not end, by distancing itself from the controversy fomented by him.

Though the Opposition parties were after Mr. Antulay's blood over his mischievous remarks and sought his immediate dismissal from the government, it is unlikely that Madam Sonia Gandhi would take any prompt and drastic action against Mr. Antulay, when the Parliamentary polls are just few months away. Ultimately, Mr. Antulay is a member of minority community and Sonia Gandhi would not like to do anything, which could be having political and / or electoral bearing.

However, if Mr. Antulay is finally made to resign, then that would give Pakistan an opportunity to comment, that he was removed from the cabinet only because he spoke the truth. !!

Therefore, the Antulay affair has thrown Congress in 'Catch 22' situation. Barring the Margaret Alva episode, one doesn't recollect Congress party acting swiftly, as a matter of discipline on any issue. It did act in Alva's case, though she did belong to a minority community and once a close associate of Madam Sonia Gandhi.

However, if Mr. Antulay he is sacked from the cabinet, then he would try to pose himself as a martyr.

Therefore, the best way for Congress to get out from the Antulay controversy is to ask him to tender an unconditional apology not only to the country, but to the members of the Karkare's family. But, as the clever man he is, he would ultimately try to say that 'I was misunderstood by all'.

Now he has no opportunity to say that ' I was quoted out of context' as the millions of people watched Mr. Antulay's charges over Karkare's death during the Parliament debate on television.

Mr. Antulay is such a politician, who is always in the news for the wrong reasons. It was he who had once dreamed of becoming India's first 'Minority Prime Minister'. When he was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, some booklets calling him as the 'Messiah of Indian Muslims' were published and distributed in early eighties after he returned from the Middle East trip.

Mr. Antulay has a dubious past and had got a reprieve in Vadkhal Naka incident, when his vehicle allegedly carrying some smuggled goods was intercepted by Customs Department in middle of seventies, when he was a junior minister in Vasantrao Naik ministry. However, he was exonerated for want of sufficient evidence.

After becoming the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 1981, he had created a huge kickback controversy, over the 'Indira Gandhi Pratibha Prathisthan Trust', which he had formed without the consent of Madam Indira Gandhi and had started collecting huge donations for this trust in her name.

However, Mrs. Indira Gandhi got the wind of it and after serious exposes by the Indian media in general and by Arun Shourie's then Indian Express, Madam Gandhi (Sr) showed him the door.

The moot question is, will Sonia Gandhi would show same resolve while tackling Mr. Antulay?

It is interesting to note that some of the Muslim organizations too, have decried Antulay over the controversy created by him. If Sonia Gandhi retains him in the cabinet, then it would give the BJP and its allies like Shiv Sena a big boost to lodge a campaign against Congress of 'minority appeasement'. Suffice to say that Antulay affair would test Sonia's mettle!

Seems that the stars of the Congress do not appear to be good, despite the fact that it was prompt enough in introducing two anti-terror law bills in Parliament (on the lines of POTA) in the wake of Mumbai mayhem, which was reluctant to bring any such legislation after it came into power in April, 2004.

Gambhir's head : Has it swollen so early ?

No tears be shed over ICC handing over one Test ban suspension to Gautam Gambhir for his aggressive and uncultured behaviour on the field in the on going third Test at Firozshah Kotla Ground.

It’s a big jolt to a budding cricketer whose cricketing career is about to blossom after having failed miserably in his previous Test appearances in last four seasons.

He had no reason at all to dash off his left elbow on Shane Watsons' chest while completing his second run, an incident which was seen on the television replays distinctly, albeit Aussie all rounder had uttered some nasty things couple of minutes earlier so as to provoke him.

Gambhir's behaviour on Day 2 of Delhi Test is also unpardonable, on the backdrop of another incident involving him with Simon Katich on Day 1. Therefore, all that double ton which he had hit with great gusto would go in vain, though it would be only useful to the cricket statisticians. He has virtually spoiled his name and repute with his abominable behaviour.

One wonder's whether his recent success has gone in his head and he is trying to emulate Bhajji over on the field behaviour.

Will Kangaroos bounce back to level the series ?

After winning Mohali Test with an astounding margin of 315 runs against Aussies, India go into third Test at Firozshah Kotla, Delhi on next Wednesday (29th Oct.2008). Dilemma is not new thing or phenomenon to Indian cricket team, as our whole country has '11th hour culture', with no firm policy, planning, foresight, courage, conviction, etc. in every field and cricket is no exception to it.

Now the biggest problem confronting the Indian cricket team what type of final XI, it should come out.

Skipper Anil Kumble, who is having torrid time with the ball, as he went wicket less on his home pitch at Bengluru (Bangalore) and who had a horrible tour to Sri Lanka as well, is now reportedly fit. As he was appointed as the skipper for the full series, he deserves a place in final XI, if he is fit, no matter, what Amit Mishra has done on his Test debut.

The Indian media seems to be carried away, with Mishra's phenomenal success at Mohali, as he undoubtedly flummoxed the visiting Kangaroos. No question about that. But, the Indian team can't afford to have three spinners, at the cost of batsman, as the move is afoot to show the door to V.V.S. Laxman, who is not so fine with his bat as of now. Also a talk is going on to accommodate Yuvraj Singh for the last two Tests.

Though Saurav Ganguli was selected initially for first two Tests, now he definitely deserves his place in the last two games, before he bids adieu. That would be right way to see him off.

One is surprised to read that Indian media has now started a debate, whether Amit Mishra is another Anil Kumble in making. Well, such kind of debate is absolutely premature as there is no point in getting carried away over one's maiden performance.

Look at Narendra Hirwani, who had help India win Madras (it was not Chennai in 1987) Test against West Indies with a sixteen wickets haul in barely three and half days, could not find a place in the Indian Test Team after two seasons. Same thing happened with seventeen year old L. Sivaramakrishnan, who made his debut in 1983 on Indians' Caribbean tour. But his career lasted barely for couple of years.

With the advent of T – 20 cricket, both, the significance and utility of spinners is bound to die down in the process. It’s the medium pacers, who would be ruling the roost.

The Aussies have been receiving barrage of criticism at home, over its most 'unforgettable' defeat in the Test history, that too at the hands of Indians abroad. The media Down Under has already lambasted the home team and the spat between captain Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee has already added fuel to the fire.

But, India can't afford to get complacent. Just two months ago, India had had squared the series by beating Sri Lanka by 170 runs at Galle, but the hosts Lankan won the third and final Test at Colombo's PSS stadium by eight wickets to win the series by 2-1.

It was defiantly the element of complacency that had crept in after second Test, made cost India third Test dearly. Such kind of repetition of complacency can't be ruled at Delhi.

Remember, Anil Kumble of 1995, who took all ten wickets of visiting Pakistan cricket team at Kotla, is not same, as he was ten years ago. Harbhajan is having slightly dicey Test series. It’s the due of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma, on which India's hopes really rests.

Be that as it may, there is no question of making any 'whole sale' changes in the winning team combination, and hence the question would revolve, as to whether to draft in skipper Kumble at the expense of a Laxman or debutant Mishra, is a Hobson's choice before the Indian selectors.

However, it would be wiser to keep finger crossed about the outcome of the Test series, as Aussies are known fighters and have a tendency to bounce back. Ponting has already revealed that his team have a plan under his sleeve to tackle Zaheer now. But, to down play Ishant is not wiser for the tourists. He would be playing his maiden Test at his home town and the crowd would be extending a whole hearted support to him, to ensure that Ishant once again scalps his bunny skipper Ricky Ponting.

The recent showing by Australians in two games, have showed that some thing is defiantly amiss with their team. They are not able to get along with the things, barring thirty plus Western Australian Mike Hussey. The visitors defiantly require some one who can bat in tandem with Hussy for building up a huge partnership.

Moreover, their bowling attack appears to be toothless. Zaheer is to some extent right in questioning if the Kangaroos have an ability to capture India's twenty wickets in the present scenario. However, many did not like Zaheer saying this, as he is too junior player to say so and wondered about his authority to make such comments, albeit they were true.

The absence of McGrath & Warne has definitely cost both the confidence and also the gusto of the their team. That’s why a debate of Shane Warne's possible return to Test cricket arena has been kicked off in the Aussie media.

All in all, an interesting Test series is poised ahead. It would be suicidal to make any kind of predictions of winning 3-0, or 2-0 or even 2-1 at this stage. You never know, that the cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties.

However, one is definitely sure that our Diwali is going to be really noisy on this ocassion, due to runs that would be blasted at Kotla, if not from fire crackers. !!

Is Ahmadinejad's 'friendly' gesture towards US & Israel really genuine?

Barely a fortnight ago, the Western media was discussing the possibility of American and / or Israel’s air strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations and the consequences thereof. This threat had created panic in oil markets, as price of the oil barrel suddenly zoomed past US $ 140 p.b.

Then comes news of Iranian Vice President Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, describing ‘Israel as the friend of Iran’, in an interview to State owned Iranian news agency, IRNA, which took every one by surprise including Israelis.

It is interesting to note that no one has ever expressed doubts over the legitimacy or an authority of Mashaei to make such kind of statement and no Khominist has ever denounced him for making such kind of over friendly gesture towards Israel. Moreover, there is no retraction or clarification issued by the Iranian vice president himself till this date over his statement. Having talked to the state news agency, there was no question of saying, that I was quoted an out of context, which is quite prevalent all over the in these days, when such statement backfires on its maker.

And now the Iranian president Ahmadinejad has granted permission to the US journalist to set his foot on Iranian soil after two decades and has given him an interview that was telecast for thirty five minute on last Monday (28th July, 2008) on America’s NBC television channel which was conducted by its anchor Brian Williams in Tehran. At the outset of the interview, Ahmadinejad gave a very special and a cordial message to the people of United States which is a clear indication Iran’s renewed earnestness in re-establishing diplomatic ties with US, provided America showed her sincerity as well.
http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3185/html/

Everybody is aware that two years ago, the same Iranian president was advocating the ‘destruction of Israel’ and wipe her out from the world map, which made people to wonder, whether he sane enough to know what he was saying? As regards US, ever since Iranian revolution in 1979, the world America is synonymous with ‘Satan’ i.e. an enemy of Islam!

After assuming Ian’s numero uno position three years ago, Ahmadinejad had expressed a complete recalcitrant attitude towards both, Israel and US, which he did not hesitate to display even during his US visit in September, 2007 when he was invited by the Colombia University to participate in world leaders’ forum. Though on hosts nations’ soil, he did not loose the opportunity to vent his diatribe against the US. The conference venue witnessed hundreds of Americans holding placards denouncing a visitor from Tehran.

The Americans on their part too, have often accused Iran for inciting the radical Shiaite elements in Iraq for nurturing them with material and logistic support to her Western neighbour, where the situation is not at all normal as it is made out to be.

As if this was not enough, the outgoing US President George Bush was also openly soliciting in the middle of July, 2008 the air strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations. In January, 2002 while delivering his speech in the State of Union address, US president had coined a new term an 'Axis of Evil', in which he had placated Iraq for its WMD programme and Iran & North Korea for their nuclear programmes and had solicited for tackling these nations by all possible means.

On this backdrop, after watching Ahmadinejad’s thirty five minute interview to NBC on Monday night, one wonders, how can there be sudden change of heart on the part of Iran?

However, the events that have taken place during the past six months or so, give credence to theory that both US and Iran have started realizing the necessity of rapprochement, as their diplomatic and trade ties had cut off since 1980, in the wake of the seizure of American embassy in Tehran, by the Iranian students for 444 days.

However, this new line of thinking from the Iranian side was manifested for the first time, when the Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadinejad spoke to the media during his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the eve of D-8 summit meeting in early July, 2008, as he revealed his willingness to consider a U.S. diplomatic office in Tehran! However, he was quick to clarify that he had not received any such official request from US.

It is also no less significant that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice too, has repeatedly offered to start a political dialogue with Iran if Tehran heeds U.N. Security Council calls to suspend its uranium enrichment effort, which U.S. officials believe is weapons-related.As on the date, Iran operates an interests section in US, through the embassy of Pakistan in Washington, while the American interests in Iran are looked after by the Swiss embassy in Tehran.
While it is bit premature and also hasty to pinpoint any reason or reasons that have made both the powers to engage in reconciliation debate, one has a feeling that failure of US President’s agenda both in Afghanistan and also in Iraq might have promoted Americans to have a re-look of the geopolitical scenario in the Persian Gulf.

There are some possible reasons to this rapprochement like:- (1) the sudden spurt of terror activities initiated by Taliban in Afghanistan, more so in Pakistani controlled FATA border, (2) the failure and also complete reluctance on the part of the Pakistan establishments (both civilian and military) to hold Talibanis in check, if not totally to root them out, (3) the declining security scenario in Iraq, might have also prompted Iran to have re-thinking of its ties with US, as she can’t afforded to be surrounded by the three trouble torn nations.

As early in the first week of July, 2008, it was openly said in the world media that both US and / or Israel had almost finished their strategic planning for striking the nuclear installations in Iran and they were just unrelenting in their resolve to do so. On the other hand, Iran too was getting increasing realized that the air strikes on her nuclear plants were quite imminent (though based on false, incorrect data) and there was no escape from the wrath! What happened in case of Iraq was about to happen Iran. But serenity has finally prevailed.

The world community knows that how the US President’s decision to attack Iraq has cost America very dearly and it has turned out to be a huge misadventure. George Bush (Jr) ventured to attack Iraq, even as the US mission in Afghanistan was unfinished and it was not at all yielding the desirable results. Till this date, almost 5,000 US soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq and there is a deep resentment back home in US over outgoing President’s overzealous act of invading Iraq based on false data of Iraq’s WMD programme.

As regards Iran, the likes of former US President Jimmy Carter (and also IAEA officials El Baradi) have been repeatedly saying that Iran was then four to five years away from developing nuclear weapons. Notwithstanding this, George Bush (Jr) had temerity of advocating the air strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations, when no one was certain about Iran’s nuclear capability.

After hearing the fresh rapprochement feelers getting emanated from Tehran towards Jerusalem and Washington, one is experiencing a sense of disbelief, as Iran has remained tremendously hostile towards world’s thickest friends for more than two decades. One wonders how can it happen? Under what compelling circumstances, Tehran has started showing white towel!

Now it remains to be seen, how Saudi Arabia, the keepers two holy Muslim shrines would react to this new found love between Tehran and Washington. How the Wahabbis in other parts of the world too would react to this development? What would be reaction from Al-Qaeda?

When Israel and Syria can initiate a dialogue after being hostile for forty years or so, one should not be surprised at all by the recent overtures made by Ahmadinejad towards US & Israel.

Be that as it may, one can’t ignore Iran’s strategic location in the Persian Gulf and its proximity to Silk Road going through Central Asian Republics, the oil and gas filed of which have no been still explored to their potential. If friendly with Tehran, the Americans can get a direct access to Central Asian Republics through the Iranian sea port Bandar –e - Abbas. That is not so through Gwadar, in Pakistan which is now under Chinese control. As Pakistan is increasingly emerging as a failed State, the US can’t afford to pin any more hopes on it. Moreover, China is a principal alley of Islamabad.

It seems the possible energy crisis coupled with emergence of energy potential of Central Asian republics, might make Iran as a most significant nation in the whole world and not just in the Persian Gulf alone. Perhaps that might have made Ahmadinejad more saner and given him a belated realization.

The viewer’s comments on this article would be highly appreciated on: ganesh_sovani@rediffmail.com.

Somnath Chatterjee's expulsion from CPM is void ab-initio !

The much anticipated expulsion of Mr. Somnath Chatterjee has finally taken place. His honesty and integrity to the speaker's chair cost him his primary membership of his party on the eve of his 79th birth day. What a tragedy of a man who served the red brigade for nearly four decades.

But the moot question is, can Chatterjee be expelled by the CPM politburo? As the convention goes, the moment an MP assumes the reigns as a speaker of Lower House of Parliament (Loksabha), he ceases to be a member of the political party on the ticket of which he has become an MP.

Therefore, if Somnathda was not the member of the CPM ever since fourteenth Parliament got constituted four and half years ago, how can he be expelled. Legally speaking is his expulsion sounds void ab – initio? In short a nullity. !

Wonder being a legal luminary whether he will take this defence or accept it without any resentment or under protest!

Can RTI change India's destiny ?

Hi Folks !Inspite of fifty-eight years of democracy being practised in our gigantic country having a history of thousands of years and great cultural values, what we have achieved till this date, is hardly significant !

The people already started debating, whether the Britishers erred in conferring an independence to this country, or they ought not to have left India so early. Inspite of 150 years of British Raj, we Indians could never master their qualities, like a sense of duty, their down to earth attitude, an urge to find the truth, their passion for justice and democracy and above all their foresight !.

What we have witnessed during the last fifty-odd years in the Indian politics is only nepotism, dynasty, parochialism, hypocrisy, sycophancy, groupism, myopic tendencies, etc. which are all evident in the spheres of Indian life.

On the other hand, inspite of completely being decimated after WWII, the countries like Germany and Japan have achieved is simplely phenomenal. Both these countries have come out like a Phoneix bird, something akin to rags to riches story. Even the progress made by the countries in SE Asia like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, etc. are quite enthralling.What we Indians lack is the 'patriotism', sense of 'brotherhood' and respect for our social and cultural values.

Today's Indian society in general and its youth in particular has virtually become a directionless. No more 'Idol' exists in our society from whom one can take an inspiration from.If the politicans have failed our democracy, we the citizens, more so the intellectual and middle-class people are equally responsible for our idle or 'chalta hai' attitude on which the politicians capitalize. How long we are doing to tolerate it ?No body in our country has any appreciation for 'Rule of law' !

Moreover, there is lack of appreciation of it's significance even amongst the educated people of our country. Ignorance of law is not an excuse.'Corruption' in every sphere of life has become a dubious distinction in our country. It is only a corrupt person who can hope to survive on the politics, on the other hand, even if you are honest and intellegent and if you have no idea to accumulate an 'ill-gotten wealth', you can sustain in the politics.Judiciary is the only ray of hope for a common man in our country, as the institution of Parliament has become redundent, as it is often boycotted by the opposition on flimsy pretext and the ruling party never allows a debate take place on any serious issue, where it is going to find itself in troubled waters.

The only way to 'save India' is to revitalize Parliamentary form of democracy, Pro-active judiciary, Free Press and above all infusing an accountability and transparancy in the public administration at all levels, right from Grampanchayat upto Union Government level.The newly enacted 'The Right to Information Act - 2005' is a fantastic legislation which can definately help to curb the present menace in our country, if not to eliminate in our country permanently.Be an alert citizen, be vocal on all those issues which you are currently facing.

Have a sense of duty and brotherhood no matter what position you are currently holding. Unless there is a consorted effort, nothing will move in our country.Do not let our country to loose it's past heritage and glory, and do not push it into the darkness of uncertanity.